Ikon ratchets lack QR feature

[Tonymanx]

I can see that HF is trying to compete with higher end tools.
I find it ridiculous that there doesn't seem to be any Ikon ratchets with the Quick Release feature. This is important because my employer requires the wearing of cut proof gloves. My Snap-on ratchets hold sockets so well, that a screwdriver is sometimes needed to pop sockets off.
I ended up buying 3 different Tekton ratchets. Sold some of my Snap-on ratchets without QR, on Facebook Marketplace. Snap-on dealer wasn't interested in taking my non QR ratchets in trade. Was happy one of the Tekton was 51, Snap-on was 170.

 

[Tynee]

I prefer QR too, but a lot of guys on here hate it.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I used a QR ratchet for the first time in probably 20 years yesterday. I couldn't figure out why the damn extension wouldn't go on the ratchet. I examined it and found the button.

It was in a pinch, otherwise I use my Dual80s, which are all non-QR. I definitely prefer those.

 

[dnschmidt]

The quick release weakens the drive end due to the hole in the drive end required for the mechanism. I'm not a quick release type of guy and I think the tool companies that avoid these are likely due to avoiding warrantee issues.

 

[whateg01]

Well of course they don't have any qr ikon ratchets. They don't have any ikon anything!

 

[zendriver]

Not too hard to believe if there was actually a market for it, they would offer some.

Personally, I don’t never remember using one in my life, other than that craftsman quarter inch

 

[PWC Repair]

WHAT? I always use quick release. I will chuck a ratchet to the back 40 if it holds so tight I have to pry a socket off. I will also chuck one if the socket randomly falls off right as I get to that impossible to access bolt! Only ratchets with a release button here!

 

[cody1325]

When the ages of your sockets, ratchets, and related tools range from 1950 something to last-month-ish (whenever HFT had those Icon 3/8 General Service sets for like $100); some may not even have detents; and seems like some sockets like to get stock on some ratchets in particular. Quick release usually solves that problem immensely.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Given a choice, I almost always choose quick release; there was a time in my life on some ratchets without quick release. We're dropping my socket at exactly the wrong time and then I had to fish it out of wherever it fell.

That said, I don't remember dropping any sockets accidentally off any of my snap-on ratchets and alternatively, I've not had problems removing sockets from my snap-on ratchets.... And lately, lost any sockets on my other ratchets that are also not quick release, but I also use them much less often now and surely not in the weird places I used to use them.

 

[Kurt4440]

The answer is to have both quick release ratchets along with locking extensions and universals, but, also have standard ratchets.

 

[Kurt4440]

Given a choice, I almost always choose quick release; there was a time in my life on some ratchets without quick release. We're dropping my socket at exactly the wrong time and then I had to fish it out of wherever it fell.

I agree
Rusty nuts and bolt heads go well with locking extensions and quick release ratchets.

 

[T444e]

The only QR ratchet I have is a CDI torque wrench. The QR is one of two things that irritate me with it as I just try to pull the socket off, fail, and have to think about it for a few seconds and then remember to push the button. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I have not had an issue with sockets coming off non-QR ratchets.

 

[bonneyman]

My S-K roundheads never had QR - I never missed it. Then I discovered the Craftsman/Easco RHFT - and got all three drive sizes! If I had a roll away tool box they'd both be in the ratchet drawer side-by-side. No complaints here!

 

[whateg01]

My S-K roundheads never had QR - I never missed it. Then I discovered the Craftsman/Easco RHFT - and got all three drive sizes! If I had a roll away tool box they'd both be in the ratchet drawer side-by-side. No complaints here!

Those rhft look like a couple craftsman ratchets I have. Seems like those have about 4 teeth. I can't imagine general work with less than 50 teeth now. Even 50 feels very barbarian.

 

[Ohio Andy]

The only QR ratchet I have is a CDI torque wrench. The QR is one of two things that irritate me with it as I just try to pull the socket off, fail, and have to think about it for a few seconds and then remember to push the button. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I have not had an issue with sockets coming off non-QR ratchets.

I have the opposite problem, I might be trying to press a non existent release button it just depends on which ratchets I have been using lately.

I am always annoyed when I leave a socket behind; more likely to happen on a dirty, damaged, or rusted bolt. Happens much less than it used to.

Same problem when using bit drivers. Is the bit retained? I own things that can trap / retain a bit so it does not stick on the fastener, but most do not. Especially with higher torque and certain fasteners this is often an annoyance as well. I see this far more often with bits than sockets.

 

[T444e]

I am always annoyed when I leave a socket behind; more likely to happen on a dirty, damaged, or rusted bolt. Happens much less than it used to.

I've been known to hammer sockets onto rusted fasteners more than once. Usually fractional sockets onto metric fasteners. Sockets coming off the ratchet is not a typical problem for me. The typical problem is the fastener stuck in the socket. Unfortunately, threading the fastener into the hole is not sufficient in aiding the removal of the fastener from the socket. Thank goodness for punches and presses.

 

[KnurledNut]

Those rhft look like a couple craftsman ratchets I have. Seems like those have about 4 teeth. I can't imagine general work with less than 50 teeth now. Even 50 feels very barbarian.

The basic Craftsman pearheads were no comparison to the RHFT double pawl design that had action of 70, 82, and 90t.

 

[bonneyman]

Those rhft look like a couple craftsman ratchets I have. Seems like those have about 4 teeth. I can't imagine general work with less than 50 teeth now. Even 50 feels very barbarian.

I slapped a LP90 rebuild kit into an S-K 45170 and a Roto-head ratchet and instantly doubled the tooth count feel. 82 teeth is enough for me.

https://www.jbtools.com/sk-tools-3-8-dual-pawl-rebuild-kit-800720-2/

And I saved the two original gear assemblies to back-up any of my other S-K's down the road!

 

[FigN⋅m]

The quick release weakens the drive end due to the hole in the drive end required for the mechanism. I'm not a quick release type of guy and I think the tool companies that avoid these are likely due to avoiding warrantee issues.

Eh.
If the QR was the weak point smashing on a stuck bolt, the wrong tool was used.

 

[KnurledNut]

I slapped a LP90 rebuild kit into an S-K 45170 and a Roto-head ratchet and instantly doubled the tooth count feel. 82 teeth is enough for me.

https://www.jbtools.com/sk-tools-3-8-dual-pawl-rebuild-kit-800720-2/

And I saved the two original gear assemblies to back-up any of my other S-K's down the road!

I thought that was one of the better new releases Ideal brought to market.
For memory's sake, here's the little flyer they printed about them:

 

[whateg01]

I slapped a LP90 rebuild kit into an S-K 45170 and a Roto-head ratchet and instantly doubled the tooth count feel. 82 teeth is enough for me.

https://www.jbtools.com/sk-tools-3-8-dual-pawl-rebuild-kit-800720-2/

And I saved the two original gear assemblies to back-up any of my other S-K's down the road!

If I didn't have a couple of fine tooth Stanley ratchets with very small heads, I might try to see if there is a lot to swap the internals of those craftsman but I have tekton ratchets so I don't really need to.